Based on the previous reviews, I bought a pound box of this tea. Most of what I could say was already said by Alex in their spot-on review. I find that I get the best cup of tea by allowing it to steep for ten minutes or so.

Even with such a long steep, the bitterness is understated for an Assam. Though the tea gets quite astringent, it's still less so than most "English Breakfast" style Assams. The fruitiness reminds me of Sri Lankan teas, but with the characteristically Assam molasses and barley malt instead of cocoa flavors found in a Ceylon. In fact, the bitter maltiness combined with the astringency reminds me of shoofly or molasses pie.

Even at the website's $15 per pound this tea can compete with the prices of cheaper, machine produced CTC Assams and I bought it for half that at a Middle Eastern grocery store. In terms of flavor, this tea competes with my favorite Chinese teas, but at one-eighth the price.